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Not to Cuts: for a 24 hour general strike now! - Socialist Party and Youth Fight for Jobs on demo, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

All of the policies outlined above are only the first steps towards constructing a new type of society.

Modern capitalism has created riches beyond the wildest dreams of our grandparents and great-grandparents, with the potential for far more.

Yet we are constantly being told that we have no choice but to accept the erosion of our quality of life, increased poverty, worsening public services and longer working hours.

But why? Humankind has developed science and technique to a level that was unimaginable to previous generations.

While still very limited, our understanding of everything from the stars above us to the secrets of our own bodies and minds is unparalleled.

Humanity is capable of space exploration, has mapped the human genome, and can modify genes, yet we cannot feed the world on the basis of capitalism.

For most of human history it has not been possible to satisfy even the most basic human needs. Now, as a result of the labour and ingenuity of working people, the potential exists to eliminate want forever.

The barrier to achieving this is the capitalist system itself. Based as it is on the private ownership of the productive forces (factories, offices, science and technique), capitalism creates immense inequality and deprivation when the potential exists for providing the material components of a decent life for all.

A socialist government would take the big corporations, which dominate Britain's economy, into democratic public ownership, under workers' control and management, in order to plan the development of society for need instead of profit.

This would only be possible with the active support of the majority of working people. Of course, a genuine socialist government would not take small businesses, such as local shops, many of which are currently forced out of business by the multinationals, into public ownership.

Nor would it, as opponents of socialism claim, stand for the taking away of personal 'private property'.

On the contrary, socialists are in favour of everyone having the right to a decent home and the other conveniences of modern life.

If you agree with this manifesto, then join the fight for socialism - join the Socialist Party. The struggle for socialism needs your talents and abilities.

Our struggle does not stop at the shores of Britain. Capitalism is an international economic system. Multinational companies exploit the entire world in the pursuit of profit.

The struggle for socialism is an international struggle. That's why the Socialist Party is affiliated to the Committee for a Workers' International, which is struggling for socialism in 40 countries worldwide.